Best Social Commerce Platforms for DTC brands 2024

Wondering which social media is best for ecommerce sales? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

Social media has changed how we shop online. People now discover and buy products while browsing apps like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. These platforms have grown from places to connect with friends into places where we can shop directly. Many people now find new products to buy while using these apps.

The future of shopping on social media looks bright. Experts think it will grow into a $2.9 trillion market by 2026. This means businesses have a great chance to sell their products where people already spend their time. By using social media smartly, companies can turn their online presence into successful stores.

We’re here to show you how social commerce works and help your business succeed in this new way of selling.

What is Social Commerce?

Social commerce brings together social media and online shopping in a new way. It turns shopping into a fun, social activity where people can interact while they browse and buy. Instead of just showing products, social commerce lets people buy directly through social media platforms. People can read reviews, get suggestions from friends, and share what they like.

Unlike regular online stores that focus mainly on selling, social commerce uses the power of social connections. When people see their friends and trusted influencers recommending products, they’re more likely to make a purchase.

When brands understand how to mix social interaction with shopping, they can reach more customers and build stronger relationships with them, which leads to better sales.

What is a Social Commerce Platform?

Social commerce platforms are online spaces where shopping meets social media. They make it easy for brands to sell products directly where people spend time chatting and sharing with friends.

Many popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok now let you shop while you browse. These platforms help businesses sell products by showing personalized suggestions, making checkout easy, working with influencers, and building active communities around their brands.

Top Social Commerce Platforms

Facebook: Building Communities and Driving Sales

Facebook is currently the biggest platform for social shopping. By 2024, around 64.6 million people are expected to shop on Facebook. The platform makes it easy for brands to reach many customers worldwide. While Facebook Marketplace is popular for buying and selling used items locally, it’s just one part of Facebook’s shopping features. If we don’t count Marketplace, Instagram would actually have more shoppers than Facebook.

Facebook Shops makes it easy for businesses to create online stores right on Facebook. Customers can shop and buy without leaving the platform. Businesses can show off their products with photos and details, making it feel like a real store. They can also showcase special deals and product bundles to attract more customers.

Case Study: Sephora

Sephora uses Facebook to connect with their customers in a friendly and helpful way. They show videos of how to use makeup and give their followers a peek at what happens behind the scenes. By chatting with customers and doing live videos, Sephora has fostered a loyal customer base and driven sales.

Instagram: Visual Appeal and Market Engagement

Instagram helps brands showcase their products through visual storytelling. Its features like Stories, IGTV, and Reels let businesses create content that their customers love. Instagram Shopping makes it easy for people to buy products right from posts and stories. While there are some issues with buying directly in the app, Instagram is working to make it better. With nearly 47 million people in the US expected to shop on Instagram in 2024, it’s a great place for businesses to sell their products.

Case Study: Gymshark

Gymshark shows how well Instagram can work for selling products. This fitness clothing brand posts photos and videos of athletes wearing their clothes. They work with fitness influencers to show off their products, and customers can easily buy what they see through Instagram posts and stories.

Twitter: Real-Time Customer Service and Brand Personality

Twitter is a dynamic platform that allows businesses to quickly address customer inquiries and showcase their brand personality. This real-time interaction resolves issues swiftly and gives brands a voice that can align with their identity—be it fun, witty, or serious. Engaging in industry-relevant trending discussions or launching branded hashtags can expand a company’s reach and reinforce its digital presence.

Twitter has become an important platform where people get their news and updates, with most Americans using it this way. It’s also a great place for businesses, with millions of active users checking it daily. Twitter wants to make it easier for people to shop directly on the platform. They’re testing new features like special business profiles and ways to buy products right from tweets. They’re also trying out paid memberships where followers can get special content from their favorite accounts. While these features are still being tested, they could help businesses build better relationships with customers and make more sales.

Case Study: Wendy’s

Wendy’s shows how to use Twitter in a fun way. The restaurant chain posts funny tweets that make people laugh and want to follow them. They talk to their customers directly on Twitter, helping with problems and joining in conversations. This friendly approach has made them stand out from other fast-food companies and helped build their unique brand.

Pinterest: Inspiration and Discovery

Pinterest is a great place for finding inspiration, especially if you sell fashion, home décor, or DIY products. It works like a visual search engine where people can easily find and save ideas they love. Businesses can post beautiful photos of their products that link directly to their online stores, making it simple for customers to buy what catches their eye. Pinterest helps businesses sell more by offering useful tools like product catalogs and ways to track how well their posts are doing. They even have a special program that shows customers which sellers they can trust, and it works smoothly with popular shopping platforms like Shopify.

Case Study: West Elm

West Elm shows how well Pinterest can work for businesses. As a home goods store, they share beautiful photos of their products and organize them into collections that show different home styles. This makes it easy for people who are looking for home decoration ideas to find and buy their products.

TikTok: Viral Content and Youth Engagement

TikTok has become incredibly popular with young people, making it a great place for brands to sell their products. The platform makes it easy for anyone to get noticed – even small businesses can reach lots of people if they make interesting content. Brands can join in on TikTok trends, use popular music, and create fun videos to connect with customers. Users can buy products directly through TikTok’s shopping features.

TikTok is growing fast, especially with Gen Z users. In 2024, it reached over 100 million users in the US alone, and this number keeps climbing. More people now shop on TikTok than on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest put together. TikTok Shop lets people buy from different brands without leaving the app.

While TikTok is doing well, it faces some challenges in the US. Not many sellers are using TikTok Shop yet, and there are worries about the app’s future in the country. But TikTok keeps moving forward, especially through its partnership with Shopify. This team-up helps businesses create video ads and manage their TikTok marketing easily.

Read how to use GeeLark to tackle your TikTok biz challenge here

Case Study: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

Rare Beauty shows how well TikTok can work for brands. Selena Gomez’s makeup company became popular quickly on TikTok by creating fun challenges, working with influencers, and showing what happens behind the scenes. This approach has helped them sell more products and get their name out there.

YouTube: Video-Centric Commerce

YouTube offers brands a unique platform to showcase products and connect with audiences through engaging video content. This includes demonstrations, tutorials, and reviews that educate and inspire viewers. The platform’s features allow users to explore and purchase products directly from videos, thanks to its shopping integrations. Brands can also partner with influencers to feature products, tapping into their audience reach. Engaging with viewers through comments and feedback helps build a community and improve future content. By integrating YouTube into their social commerce strategy, brands can enhance brand awareness and drive sales.

Case Study: Glossier

Glossier, a beauty brand, has built a strong following on YouTube through its informative and engaging video content. They use the platform to share product reviews, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks. By leveraging YouTube’s long-form video format, Glossier can provide in-depth product information and build trust with their audience.

Snapchat: AR-Powered Shopping

Snapchat is exploring the potential of augmented reality (AR) in social commerce. They offer AR lenses that allow users to virtually try on makeup, sunglasses, and even clothing. With over 170 million daily users engaging with AR features, Snapchat is making strides in this arena. While you can experiment with products within Snapchat using these lenses, purchases still require users to navigate outside the app.

Case Study: MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics has used Snapchat’s AR filters to allow users to virtually try on makeup products. This innovative approach allows customers to experiment with different looks and find the perfect shade for their skin tone. By leveraging AR technology, MAC has enhanced the online shopping experience and driven sales.

Why Would You Need GeeLark For Your Social Commerce Succes

Mobile devices have become our trusty sidekicks for both personal and professional use. With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, mobile devices have become even more important in our day-to-day lives. Businesses especially have noticed how mobile technology can help them connect with and engage their audience.

With mobile usage on the rise, companies are embracing mobile-first strategies more than ever. This means optimizing websites for mobile devices, crafting mobile-friendly apps, and tapping into mobile advertising. But let’s face it, running multiple social media accounts and navigating complex online platforms can be quite the challenge and take up a lot of time.

This is where GeeLark’s antidetect phone comes into play. GeeLark offers a handy cloud-based service that lets users create bulk cloud phone profiles, automate tasks, and keep their privacy intact. With isolated Android environments, antidetect phones help users manage multiple accounts without worrying about bans or restrictions.

We’ve already shared some insights on DTC brands and their connection to multi-accounting strategies. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, be sure to check it out.

GeeLark can handle every platform mentioned above and anything a real Android device (currently updated to Android 13) can do. Just hop over to the in-app application menu and search for any social commerce platform you’re ready to explore.